The Meaning of the Basmalah – Sharh al-Qawa’id al-Arba’

Shaykhul-Islām Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdil-Wahhāb raḥimahullāh (may Allāh have mercy upon him) said,

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

“In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”

Explanation:

The author raḥimahullāh began his book with the basmalah in order to follow the example of the Qurʾān, as the sūrahs (chapters) of the Qurʾān begin with the basmalah, except for Sūrah at-Tawbah. It is also to follow the example of the letters written by the Prophet ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings be upon him) to various kings, wherein he ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam would begin his letters with the basmalah.

Additionally, commencing a book with the basmalah is done to seek blessings and assistance from Allāh Subḥānahu wa Taʿālā (the Exalted and Almighty).

As for the Majestic Name “Allāh” (الله), it is the Name that encompasses the Attribute of UlÅ«hiyyah (الألوهية) or Divinity, meaning that Allāh is the only One who has the right to be worshipped.

ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās raḍiyallāhu ʿanhumā (may Allāh be pleased with them both) said,

الله ذو الألوهية والعبودية على خلقه أجمعين.

“Allāh is the One who alone possesses the exclusive right to be worshipped by all of His creation.” [[JāmiÊ¿ul-Bayān Ê¿an TaʾwÄ«li Ä€yil-Qurʾān, by Muḥammad ibn JarÄ«r AbÅ« JaÊ¿far aá¹­-ṬabarÄ« (1/121). ]]

The Majestic Name “Allāh” is the greatest Name of Allāh, and it is the Name that encompasses all of His Beautiful Names.

Allāh Subḥānahu wa Taʿālā said,

وَلِلهِ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا

“And to Allāh belong the best Names, so invoke Him by them.” [[SÅ«rah al-AÊ¿rāf: 180. ]]

The Majestic Name “Allāh” is also the Name by which absolutely no one else is called.

Allāh Subḥānahu wa Taʿālā said,

هَلْ تَعْلَمُ لَهُۥ سَمِيًّا

“Do you know anyone who is similar to Him?” [[SÅ«rah Maryam: 65. ]]

It is narrated from Qatādah and al-Kalbī raḥimahumallāh (may Allāh have mercy upon them both) that the meaning of the verse above is:

هل تعلم أحدا يسمَّى الله تعالى غير الله، أو يقال له: الله، إلا الله؟

“Do you know anyone who is named Allāh other than Allāh, or who is called ‘Allāh’ other than Allāh?” [[al-JāmiÊ¿ li-Aḥkāmil-Qurʾān, by Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad AbÅ« Ê¿Abdillāh al-Qurá¹­ubÄ« (13/484). ]]

As for the Names of Allāh “ar-Raḥmān” (الرحمن) and “ar-Raḥīm” (الرحيم), both contain the Attribute of Raḥmah (الرحمة) or Mercy.

However, the Name “ar-Raḥmān” contains the Attribute of general Mercy encompassing all of His creation, whereas the Name “ar-Raḥīm” contains the Attribute of specific Mercy reserved only for the believers.

The evidence that Allāh possesses a general Mercy for all of His creation is a verse in the Qurʾān,

رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا

“Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in Mercy and Knowledge.” [[SÅ«rah Ghāfir: 7. ]]

Thus, this general Mercy extends to both believers and disbelievers, which is why all of them are able to receive provision in the form of food, drink, clothing, health, and other blessings from Allāh Subḥānahu wa Taʿālā.

The evidence that Allāh possesses a specific Mercy reserved only for the believers is the statement of Allāh Subḥānahu wa Taʿālā,

وَكَانَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًا

“He is ever Merciful to the believers.” [[SÅ«rah al-Aḥzāb: 43. ]]

Therefore, this specific Mercy is not granted to the disbelievers and polytheists, but exclusively to the believers. This is why only they are able to attain the blessings of Islām and īmān (faith), as well as the blessings of hidāyah (guidance) and tawfīq (divine facilitation) from Allāh Subḥānahu wa Taʿālā.

Abu Umar Andy Latief
Article of andylatief.com